News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Wendy and the Lost Boys: The Uncommon Life of Wendy Wasserstein - by Julie Salaman

Broadway Bookshelf - Must Read Theater Books

Biography | Autobiography | Show Books | For Actors | Musical Scores | Reference Books | History

Wendy and the Lost Boys: The Uncommon Life of Wendy Wasserstein by Julie Salaman

In Wendy and the Lost Boys bestselling author Julie Salamon explores the life of playwright Wendy Wasserstein's most expertly crafted character: herself. The first woman playwright to win a Tony Award, Wendy Wasserstein was a Broadway titan. But with her high- pitched giggle and unkempt curls, she projected an image of warmth and familiarity. Everyone knew Wendy Wasserstein. Or thought they did.

Born on October 18, 1950, in Brooklyn, New York, to Polish Jewish immigrant parents, Wendy was the youngest of Lola and Morris Wasserstein's five children. Lola had big dreams for her children. They didn't disappoint: Sandra, Wendy's glamorous sister, became a high- ranking corporate executive at a time when Fortune 500 companies were an impenetrable boys club. Their brother Bruce became a billionaire superstar of the investment banking world. Yet behind the family's remarkable success was a fiercely guarded world of private tragedies.

Wendy perfected the family art of secrecy while cultivating a densely populated inner circle. Her friends included theater elite such as playwright Christopher Durang, Lincoln Center Artistic Director André Bishop, former New York Times theater critic Frank Rich, and countless others.

And still almost no one knew that Wendy was pregnant when, at age forty-eight, she was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital to deliver Lucy Jane three months premature. The paternity of her daughter remains a mystery. At the time of Wendy's tragically early death less than six years later, very few were aware that she was gravely ill. The cherished confidante to so many, Wendy privately endured her greatest heartbreaks alone.

In Wendy and the Lost Boys, Salamon assembles the fractured pieces, revealing Wendy in full. Though she lived an uncommon life, she spoke to a generation of women during an era of vast change. Revisiting Wendy's works-The Heidi Chronicles and others-we see Wendy in the free space of the theater, where her many selves all found voice. Here Wendy spoke in the most intimate of terms about everything that matters most: family and love, dreams and devastation. And that is the Wendy of Neverland, the Wendy who will never grow old.

Available On:
Wendy and the Lost Boys: The Uncommon Life of Wendy Wasserstein on Hardcover

Publisher: The Penguin Press HC

Released: 2011





Aakash Chotrani Releases New Book HUMANS AND AI COEXISTENCE: TECHNOLOGY CHANGING THE WORLD ORDER by Blair Ingenthron - March 24, 2024

Aakash Chotrani has announced the release of his new book Humans and AI Coexistence: Technology Changing the World Order. Independently published the book is set to launch on March 28, 2024.

3-CD Box Set of George Enescu's Full Symphonies and Romanian Rhapsodies 1 & 2, Out This April by A.A. Cristi - March 22, 2024

Discover the Orchestre National de France's new 3-CD box set, led by Cristian Măcelaru, featuring George Enescu’s full symphonies and Romanian Rhapsodies 1 & 2.

THE GARDENS OF ANUNCIA Digital Cast Recording Out Today by A.A. Cristi - March 22, 2024

The original cast recording of THE GARDENS OF ANUNCIA, the latest musical from acclaimed composer MICHAEL JOHN LaCHIUSA is now available for streaming.

Jay Moreland Releases New Military Fantasy THE LANGUAGE OF SPEARS: A SOULWASHER NOVEL by Blair Ingenthron - March 20, 2024

Jay Moreland, a promising voice in the world of fantasy literature, has announced the release of his latest novel, The Language of Spears: A Soulwasher Novel. This new fantasy takes readers on an epic journey of conflict and redemption.

Broadway Composer and Keyboard Player Peter Calandra Releases New Improvised Piano Album 'SPIRIT' by Blair Ingenthron - March 20, 2024

Broadway composer and keyboard player Peter Calandra has announced the release of his new album, 'Spirit.'

Lainie Kazan's Four Classic 60s Albums Available for the First Time in Almost 60 Years by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 19, 2024

Available for the first time in the nearly 60 years since they were introduced, the four 1960s vocal albums from Lainie Kazan are now streaming on all digital platforms.

Baggins & Gamgee Release New Novel THE ALLIANCE OF THE WEAK: VOLUME 1 by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 19, 2024

Explore Taiwan's future in THE ALLIANCE OF THE WEAK: VOLUME 1 by Infinity A, a new novel from Baggins & Gamgee that delves into a world where flaws and disabilities redefine societal norms.

Marissa Jaret Winokur to Moderate Talk Back/Q&A for Author Stan Zimmerman at the Drama Bookshop by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 18, 2024

Tony award winner, Marissa Jaret Winokur, will moderate a Talk Back/Q&A for author Stan Zimmerman Tuesday, April 16th 7:30pm ET.

Interview: Roslyn Kind is Leading With Her Heart in 'The Look of Love / The Island' by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 18, 2024

BroadwayWorld spoke with Roslyn Kind to discuss her medley 'The Look of Love' and 'The Island'. The musical artist discusses her career, her philosophy on love, and her new music video in this exclusive interview.

Ben West's THE AMERICAN MUSICAL: EVOLUTION OF AN ART FORM Sets April Release by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 15, 2024

Routledge, an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, will release the new book from musical theater artist and historian Ben West, The American Musical: Evolution of an Art Form, on April 1, 2024.

THE GARDENS OF ANUNCIA Original Cast Recording to be Released Next Week by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 15, 2024

GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS will release The Gardens of Anuncia (Original Cast Recording) – based on the recent Lincoln Center Theater production – in streaming and digital formats on Friday, March 22. Learn More about the show!

24 Theater Books for Your Spring 2024 Reading List by Nicole Rosky - March 23, 2024

Need a great book to spring into the new season? This spring, Broadway's best have put pen to paper to turn out theatre page-turners of every kind. From theatre biographies to theatre fiction; theatre books for kids to theatre history; check out our collection of 24 new Broadway books for every theatre lover's spring reading list.

TV and Broadway Songwriters Team Up for WILLYFEST - A MUSICAL PARODY by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 12, 2024

A team of top film, television and broadway songwriters have joined forces to create a musical satire inspired by the recent, ill-fated Willy Wonka knockoff fiasco in Glasgow. Learn more about the song!

Listen: Hannah Corneau Featured on Demos for BEAUTIFUL LITTLE FOOL by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 12, 2024

Four new original song demos have been released and are now available via from the original musical Beautiful Little Fool. Listen here!

LIGHTHOUSE: AN IMMERSIVE DRINKING MUSICAL to Release EP On St. Patrick's Day Weekend by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 11, 2024

Off-Broadway's hit Irish-American show Lighthouse: An Immersive Drinking Musical will release its Off-Broadway cast EP ahead of St. Patrick's Day. Learn more about the show!

Peter Jöback to Release New Album ATLAS by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 11, 2024

Recording artist, actor and musical theatre star Peter Jöback will release his upcoming studio album, ATLAS.

New Orleans Composer William Horne's Newest Chamber Works Featured On Album Out Now by Blair Ingenthron - March 09, 2024

New Orleans composer William Horne has released world-premiere recordings of three new chamber works on CHAMBER MUSIC OF WILLIAM HORNE, VOLUME THREE, available now. The album features Horne's Sonata for French Horn and Piano, Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano, and Trio for Flute, Alto Saxophone, and Piano.

GLITTER & DOOM Soundtrack Out Now by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 08, 2024

The soundtrack to Glitter & Doom – the new film musical told through 25 iconic Indigo Girls classics – is available now in digital and streaming formats from record label PS Classics.

THE EFFECT World Premiere Recording Out Now by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 08, 2024

Broadway Records has released music from The Effect (World Premiere Recording) digitally, featuring an immersive and cinematic, beat-driven score by Michael “Mikey J” Asante.

Center Stage Records to Re-Release Four Albums by Jessica Molaskey by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 07, 2024

Center Stage Records will re-release four classic Jessica Molaskey albums – Pentimento, A Good Day, Make Believe, and Sitting in Limbo. Learn more about these albums and see how to listen!

Listen: Indigo Girls Single 'What We Wanna Be' From GLITTER & DOOM' Out Now by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 06, 2024

The new Indigo Girls single “What We Wanna Be” – the folk duo's first new song in four years – is out now from record label PS Classics. Listen here!

Exclusive Photos: Inside the Recording Studio With WHITE ROSE: THE MUSICAL Cast by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - March 05, 2024

BroadwayWorld has your exclusive look inside the recording studio with the cast of The White Rose Off-Broadway. See photos here!

Theatre Communications Group Announces Recipients For PLAYS FOR THE PEOPLE: IN THE STACKS by Blair Ingenthron - March 02, 2024

Theatre Communications Group reveals the recipients of the Plays for the People: In the Stacks initiative, an effort to support and promote new theatrical works.

Album Review: Natalie Douglas BACK TO THE GARDEN Starts Club44 Pairing Well by Erin Samms - February 29, 2024

It may, well, claim a spot as one of the best albums of the year.

MOST LIKELY NOT TO… Cast Album to be Released Tomorrow by Chloe Rabinowitz - February 29, 2024

Center Stage Records will release Most Likely Not To… tomorrow, March 1st, 2024 on all digital platforms. Learn more about the album and see how to stream!

Angela Allen Releases New Self-Help Book THE MENTAL ACTIVITY WORKBOOK by Blair Ingenthron - February 28, 2024

Angela Allen, a seasoned mindfulness practitioner and holistic wellness advocate, has announced the release of her latest book, The Mental Activity Workbook: Practices to Enhance Well-being and Present-Living.

Album Review: America's Fave Dragapella® Beautyshop Quartet High Kicks Back On Their New Album THE KINSEY SICKS: DRAG QUEEN STORYTIME GONE WILD by Bobby Patrick - February 27, 2024

The songs range from fun to clever to hilarious and might well have stood up on their own without the inclusion of any script.

Exclusive: Oh My Pod U Guys- Bonus Episode: FIGARO, An Original Musical by Jayke Workman - February 26, 2024

This very special Bonus episode highlights the co-writers and director of the stunning new musical, FIGARO. Songwriter Ashley Jana and co-writer and director Will Nunziata come together to share their experience creating this new show, including recording an entire cast album, ahead of the show's world premiere concert on March 4th at the Greenroom 42 in New York City.

Book Review: MARY & ETHEL ...and MIKEY WHO? Is a Fun-filled Time-traveling Show Biz Adventure by Rob Lester - February 26, 2024

Mary & Ethel...and Mikey Who? is a good read (or listen). Come travel through time in a new work of historical fiction and fun, full of Broadway and spice and sweetness.

Album Review: Sepia Records Remembers Iconic DOROTHY LAMOUR & CO-STARS THE PARAMOUNT YEARS:1936-1952 by Bobby Patrick - February 29, 2024

Everything in this collection is captured and remastered beautifully, spanning two discs with 28 songs on each, and that’s a treasure trove, for sure.

Videos


TICKET CENTRAL

Recommended For You